Questions...First Disney Cruise

We are seasoned cruisers with two of the other major cruise lines but have never been on a Disney cruise. We have a few questions that we were hoping our Cruise Critic friends could help with.

1. How is it decided what time you're given to board the ship? Do you get to choose when doing your online information or is it randomly given to you?

2. Do they have internet packages that can be purchased onboard? Does anyone know the cost?

3. Can you do the "walk off option with luggage" like other cruise lines?

4. Does your cruise card show you all your dinner dining areas and which days or are you told the night prior after dinner where you'll be dining the next day?

5. Do the three or four day cruises also have fireworks or is it only the longer cruises?

6. Does the Disney Magic have tables for two or will we have to be seated with others?

7. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

1. Once it's your turn to register for things (90 days out I think) you can choose a boarding time online. Keep in mind staterooms don't open till 1-1:30 so if you have a lot to carry on and you board at 10am you'll be dragging it around with you for a while.

2. Yes they have internet packages. If you sign up with them by midnight the first night, you can get 50mb for free to try it out before you have to put any money into it.

3.yes walk off is an option. You usually get in line downstairs around 6:45am and can be at your car 7:30am. You can grab a quick breakfast at the cabanas. I think they open at 6am.

4. Yes there are initials on it like ARE or ERA or REA. They represent royal table enchanted garden or animators palate. The 3 MDR on the ship. (At least on the dream). You will also get a ticket in your room you can carry around that has the order and location of the dining times.

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Sorry I hit sent on accident. :)

5. Yes fireworks are on the 3 and 4 night cruises unless you're in Alaska. I think there are rules there that don't allow for them. But I think those are longer cruises anyway.

6. We have been seated on the Magic as a table for two but it isn't a guarantee that you'll get it.

7. Have fun! If you like to drink then try the mixology class. It's a fun! Go on the aquaduck. See all the shows. Ask for escargot in all the MDRs if you want because they allow that type of thing even though it's only on the Royal Table menu. :)

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*the royal palace. Not the Royal table. Sorry.

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Thank you so much for answering all my questions. We are excited for our upcoming Disney Cruise. :)

You're gonna love it. There's nothing like it! You'll become a kid again when you see goofy walk by. :)

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We love visiting the Disney parks so I'm sure we'll love our Disney Cruise also.

If we would like a table for two even though it's not a guarantee is there anything extra or special we should do prior to request it?

Call up the reservation line and have them add it to your dining reservation time request. If on the first night you don't get it, talk to the head waiter. He might be able to help you. If you're on a four night cruise, try one of the adult restaurants one night. You'll definitely get your own table there. (You have to pay extra for the adult restaurant, but it's worth it. )

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There is no such thing as a table for two on DCL. What you would get is a 4 top with only 2 of you seated there.

My suggested process is to have the request added to your reservation (call DCL or your TA to do this--TA must add it if you used one). After boarding, go to "dining changes" at the location listed on the Navigator and ask if your request was met; if not, can it be met at that time? This is easier than waiting till the first dinner and being disappointed that it isn't what you wished! It also avoids needing to deal with another family at that first dinner.

Most of the time, the requests are met in advance.

Thanks. Sounds like the procedure is similar to the other lines. I'll have my TA give them a call.

I just hope some of the things we want to book as onboard activities won't be completely full by the time it opens up for us as first-time Disney Cruisers. We definitely want to try the adult restaurant which I think is Palo so hopefully that will be available also. It's a while since we've been a "newbie" on a cruise line so I appreciate all the answers from everyone as each line has their own way of doing things.

1. Once it's your turn to register for things (90 days out I think) you can choose a boarding time online. ...

Just to clarify - first time DCL cruises online check in window opens at 75 days out.

During the process you select at Port Arrival Time. Your boarding number (which you receive when you check in at the port) is tied to the PAT you select. The PAT windows are 15 (or 30) minute windows (for example: 10:30-10:45; 10:45-11:00, etc). A specific number is allotted to each window. Once full, the window is grayed out and you can't select it.

Internet costs:

Disney Cruise Line Internet Data Packages – Connect@Sea

PlanData/ (MB)/AmountPay

As You Go/1/25¢

Small/100/$19

Medium/300/$39

Large/1000/$89

If you sign up for the 50 free mb package, once you use it up, you will be prompted to select one of the other plans to continue.

Do they usually still have some morning arrival times left for first time Disney Cruisers if we go on as soon as our time slot opens or do those fill up before?

We definitely plan to sign up before midnight on the first day for the free internet but should we decide that we don't want the internet after the free amount given are you obligated to take a package?

Don't count on getting a cabana on Castaway Cay. You won't get it. That's a pretty much guarantee.

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Don't count on getting a cabana on Castaway Cay. You won't get it. That's a pretty much guarantee.

 

 

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We aren't interested in a cabana so no problem in there. I'm sure we'll be able to find an Excursion for Castaway Cay the rest of the ports we've been to so many times so we'll probably do something on our own. We were looking more towards hoping there would be reservations for the adult restaurant and maybe for one of the adult teas if they still have that.

Don't count on getting a cabana on Castaway Cay. You won't get it. That's a pretty much guarantee.

 

 

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We aren't interested in a cabana so no problem in there. I'm sure we'll be able to find an Excursion for Castaway Cay the rest of the ports we've been to so many times so we'll probably do something on our own. We were looking more towards hoping there would be reservations for the adult restaurant and maybe for one of the adult teas if they still have that.

If you're referring to the Palo tea, that went away years ago. But there is a brunch that's really good.

There is no obligation to purchase internet. If you sign up for the 50 mb free, you can use it up. Then you can decide whether or not to purchase more and /or how much more. You can do it at the time the freebie runs out or days later--all up to you.

As to your other questions....

When you do your on line check in (in your case, that can be 75 days before embarkation), you choose a Port Arrival Time. That is tied to your boarding time. You can arrive at the terminal before your PAT, but it won't get you on the ship any sooner. You'll just check in and wait at the terminal. You NEVER get to choose a boarding time. You choose the Port Arrival Time and the computer matches your boarding card number appropriately. The earliest PAT is 10:30, while boarding typically starts about 11:15. When you do your on line check in, the computer will show the available PATs. You select one from those that are available. You can edit this later if a time you prefer shows up. There is no way to predict what will be remaining when you do your on line check it. However, if you have a time after noon, show up at the terminal about noon. By the time you have checked in, they will be announcing "open boarding" which means they are no longer using the number system and you can board as soon as you are checked in. You can normally expect "open boarding" to begin about 12:30-1:00 on the Magic.

Your Key To The World card will list your entire dining schedule. There will also be a "ticket" in your cabin that lists it. As a courtesy, each night after dinner your server will tell you where you are scheduled the next night. And if you show up at the wrong place, they'll kindly direct you to the right one.

There are fireworks on all cruises unless the location of the cruise won't allow it. Some areas have noise or environmental restrictions. Of course, the schedule is always "weather permitting."

Yes, you can do "self disembarkation." You must be out of your cabin by 8:00 and off the ship by 9:00.

If you are flexible with your Palo reservation, you'll have no problem. If you want Tuesday at 8pm...you might not get it. If there are no reservations available on line, go to the location for "palo reservations" noted on your navigator after boarding. You'll usually be able to make a reservation then (a large percentage of reservations are held back and not available on line). If that is full, you'll be wait listed as the concierge team also holds some reservations on the first day which are released to the general population on the second morning.

You'll find DCL is a lot more like other lines than it might seem from the "outside." With a few "twists," things are much the same.

I don't believe they have adult tea on the Disney Ships any longer. But someone correct me if I'm wrong. I've never had a problem getting a reservation at Palo so I'm sure you'll be fine. :) if they're sold out, go see them on the first day of the cruise. They may have gotten a cancellation once people have seen their dining rotation schedule.

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Just caught this:

4. Yes there are initials on it like ARE or ERA or REA. They represent royal table enchanted garden or animators palate. The 3 MDR on the ship. (At least on the dream).

OP is going on the Magic (reference #6). Dining rooms on the Magic are Animator's Palate, Lumiere's, and Carioca's.

First time Disney cruisers can't do anything until 75 days out, unless you are paying the big bucks to sail Concierge. After your first sail you become a Castaway Club member. Platinum level (after 10 cruises) can book their PAT and shore excursions 120 days out, Gold 105 days (after 5 cruises), and Silver (after 1 cruise) 90 days. You can only select a PAT in these time frames unless you have paid for the entire cruise. Once your cruise is paid in full you may also select events &.shore excursions.

First time cruisers, who are not yet Castatway Club members, may book 75 days out. Also, you don't select a boarding time, you select a Port Arrive Time (PAT). Concierge boards first, which is usually around 11:20. If you have the first PAT, which is 10:00 or 10:15, you still won't be called to board the ship before approximately 11:30. This was my experience on the Dream and Fantasy.

Also, you may request a table for two, but it will be a table for four without company.

Take some time exploring Disneycruiselineblog.com, it will have a lot of useful information including menus & Personal Navigators (daily activities for all ships) from past sailings.

First time Disney cruisers can't do anything until 75 days out, unless you are paying the big bucks to sail Concierge. After your first sail you become a Castaway Club member. Platinum level (after 10 cruises) can book their PAT and shore excursions 120 days out, Gold 105 days (after 5 cruises), and Silver (after 1 cruise) 90 days. You can only select a PAT in these time frames unless you have paid for the entire cruise. Once your cruise is paid in full you may also select events &.shore excursions.

 

First time cruisers, who are not yet Castatway Club members, may book 75 days out. Also, you don't select a boarding time, you select a Port Arrive Time (PAT). Concierge boards first, which is usually around 11:20. If you have the first PAT, which is 10:00 or 10:15, you still won't be called to board the ship before approximately 11:30. This was my experience on the Dream and Fantasy.

 

Also, you may request a table for two, but it will be a table for four without company.

 

Take some time exploring Disneycruiselineblog.com, it will have a lot of useful information including menus & Personal Navigators (daily activities for all ships) from past sailings.

Not exactly. You can do your online checkin whether you are paid in full or not. However, booking excursions/adult dining/spa/nursery can only be done if you are paid in full.

A moot point, however. OP is a first time cruiser. The online check in/excursion booking windows both open after the Paid in Full date.

I know, that is exactly what I stated:)

Don't count on getting a cabana on Castaway Cay. You won't get it. That's a pretty much guarantee.

 

 

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Not necessarily--there are plenty of reports of first timers who are not concierge level getting a cabana. It is a matter of being on line at the right time...just after someone has canceled theirs. Another possibility is to get it thru Port Adventures when someone wants to cancel. If it can be re-sold, the original booker won't have to pay for it.

On the other hand, you can have a great time on Castaway without a cabana. We had MANY great days there before DCL figured out that building the cabanas would be a great revenue source. They are costly, and I can't see how they are worth the cost for 2 able bodied people. I'd be snorkeling, swimming, etc....not sitting in the cabana. For a larger group or for someone who is physically unable to enjoy all the island has to offer, yes, they are nice.

The Palo tea was discontinued many years ago. They serve brunch and dinner.

What you'll find on DCL is a different name for everything, but you'll catch on quickly. Instead of a "cruise card," you'll have a Key To The World (KTTW) card. Instead of a "Patter," you'll have a Navigator. The DCL ads make it sound like rotational dining is some big deal--the whole point is that you are seated in a different dining room each night. You'll have the same table number, same serving team, etc. The only thing that changes is the location. You will find things happening in the dining room sometimes, unlike other lines.

Thank you everyone for the answers. I, too, am a seasoned cruiser, but not with DCL, and I'm bringing my 47 year old niece with me.

She has ALS, and won't have a lot of time before she will be living in a hospital. She is a Disney maniac and I want to give her the most experience I can.

We are only on a 3 dayer out of San Diego, but it's DCL. Who can complain? :D

Patti

Thank you everyone for the answers. I, too, am a seasoned cruiser, but not with DCL, and I'm bringing my 47 year old niece with me.

 

She has ALS, and won't have a lot of time before she will be living in a hospital. She is a Disney maniac and I want to give her the most experience I can.

We are only on a 3 dayer out of San Diego, but it's DCL. Who can complain? :D

 

Patti

My adult daughter has a medical condition requiring intermittent use of wheelchair and other needs. If I can assist at all with questions regarding HA cabins or accommodations, let me know. DCL should automatically give you a dining table on an aisle if she is using a chair. If you arrive early, they will take you thru crew only passages to allow you to sit in the first row of the theatre (no reserved seats, so you need to get there early for the escort). Otherwise, wheelchair seating is at the very back. If you have not booked an HA cabin and she needs one, do get it--bars on toilets, etc. are a huge help. There are sacrifices--you lose the split bath, the tub, the center desk drawer, etc. but when someone needs the HA facilities, it doesn't matter. If she does not need the HA cabin but has special needs, notify the special needs office and be sure they attach a note to the reservation. Anyhow, if I can help, let me know.

My adult daughter has a medical condition requiring intermittent use of wheelchair and other needs. If I can assist at all with questions regarding HA cabins or accommodations' date=' let me know. DCL should automatically give you a dining table on an aisle if she is using a chair. If you arrive early, they will take you thru crew only passages to allow you to sit in the first row of the theatre (no reserved seats, so you need to get there early for the escort). Otherwise, wheelchair seating is at the very back. If you have not booked an HA cabin and she needs one, do get it--bars on toilets, etc. are a huge help. There are sacrifices--you lose the split bath, the tub, the center desk drawer, etc. but when someone needs the HA facilities, it doesn't matter. If she does not need the HA cabin but has special needs, notify the special needs office and be sure they attach a note to the reservation. Anyhow, if I can help, let me know.[/quote']

 

 

Thanks so much. :)

 

As of now, we still need the bath tub because she can't stand up in a shower without leg braces, so we will keep our cabin.

Everything is changing on a weekly basis. I definitely will use your suggestions. Thanks again.

 

Patti